SPRINT DUMPING UNLIMITED HOTSPOT PLAN

We'd heard rumblings that unlimited data for Sprint's mobile hotspot plan was going the way of the dodo, but come November folks, it'll be official. Data sent and received over tethering -- not smartphone usage -- will now be measured against a 5GB cap. The same applies to mobile broadband subscribers, who will lose "unlimited" WiMax, instead having all their bits counting towards 3GB, 5GB or 10GB buckets (as seen above). Going over your allotment in either plan naturally incurs overages, which could get pricey at 5 cents per MB, and worst of all, existing unlimited plans won't be grandfathered in.

AT&T DROPS MESSAGING PLAN OPTIONS FROM TWO TO ONE

Confirmed by multiple sources and just recently AT&T, the wireless carrier is trimming its individual messaging packages from two to one on August 21st. The Messaging Unlimited plan for $20, which means the $10 bundle that offers 1000 messages is being retired.

If you aren't keen to do much communicating within 160 characters, you'll be left with no other choice besides the pay-per-message option at twenty cents each (thirty cents for MMS). Fortunately, the Family Unlimited Messaging is left unscathed, continuing to offer all-you-can-eat texts for $30.

VERIZON LAUNCHES $50 PRE-PAID UNLIMITED PLAN

Verizon Wireless officially launched “Unleashed,” the carrier’s own unlimited prepaid service. Customers can choose between four different plans — including daily and by-the-minute — but the most attractive offering is a $50 monthly option that provides unlimited calling, texting, and web browsing. There are only three feature phones available from Unleashed right now, including the LG Accolade ($39.99), the LG Cosmos ($99.99), and the Pantech Caper ($79.99). By contrast, Boost Mobile, which offers a similar $50 monthly unlimited plan, has 18 different phones including a few that are powered by Android. If you’re looking to save some cold hard cash without sacrificing cell phone minutes or text messages — or Verizon’s coverage — then Unleashed should do the trick.

AT&T RELAUNCHES UNLIMITED DATA PLANS

Facing Verizon having the iPhone and the recent announcement Verizon would be offering an unlimited data plan for $30/month, AT&T has quietly been shifting some of their iPhone subscribers back to the unlimited data plan AT&T dropped last summer.

The thinking is that some AT&T subscribers may flee to the Big Red rival to get the unlimited data plan back. The offer seems to be limited to those customers contacting AT&T customer services. Officially, AT&T has only stated they are looking at these on a case-by-case basis.

VERIZON iPHONE TO USE EXISTING DATA PLANS

According to a report by Reuters, Verizon will not be rolling out their tiered data plans for the upcoming iPhone. Verizon will use the existing plans, which more expensive at $30 versus AT&T's $25, Verizon doesn't cap the data plan while AT&T has a 2GB limit.

Verizon is banking on people willing to spend an additional $5 per month for an unlimited plan.

METRO PCS STAYS UNLIMITED

With the launch of the first LTE 4G service in the U.S., MetroPCS has reiterated it's commitment to stay unlimited.  Ed Chao, network operation Senior VP, stated the company has no plans to switch to tiered service plans and will stick with unlimited plans for future LTE launches as a way to differentiate itself from other providers.

MetroPCS launched the first LTE 4G service yesterday in Las Vegas. [DSL Reports]

RUMOR: FAMILY MOBILE FAMILY PLAN HITTING WALMART

Walmart will be offering a new unlimited family plan in stores, according to the Boy Genius Report.  The plans will offer unlimited minutes, shared data, text messages, no "surprise charges" (whatever that means) and the ability to upgrade at any time with no fee and no contract.  All of this will be powered by T-Mobile.  BGR is reporting one of the phones available on this plan is the Samsung Highlight [Boy Genius Report]

SONY ANNOUNCES iTUNES COMPETITOR

Sony announced yesterday their own push into the music world titled Music Unlimited.  The streaming service will be cloud based, which according to Sony "relieves users of the modern burden of having to manage their collection of MP3s".  It will stream all the titles from Sony's servers rather than purchasing and downloading individual files.

Music Unlimited is built around the cross-platform Qriocity delivery technology.  Because of the underlying technology Music Unlimited will be available not only  for MP3 players and computer, but also internet connected TVs, Playstation 3 or a network connected Blu-Ray player as well as all "future" Sony music players.

According to Sony it will be operational on "2010 models of network-enabled BRAVIA TVs, Blu-ray Disc players, Blu-ray Home Theater systems".

No word on the costs and fees with this service were announced.